JOHNSTOWN – The remediation of the former Karg Bros. tannery site on North Perry Street has begun, the Common Council was informed Monday.
Second Ward Councilman Chris Foss, in a city Department of Public Works liaison report, said the tannery remediation using Fulton County landfill soil has started.
“DPW has begun hauling fill to the site,” Foss told the council.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is working with the city to totally clean up the remaining pollutants and remediate the former tannery site by spring. The city is receiving help from the Fulton County Department of Solid Waste, which is bringing in 17,000 cubic yards of dirt for the site, so it can eventually be redeveloped.
A remedial measure will be to place a demarcation layer and 2 feet of clean soil over areas of the site not currently covered by concrete or asphalt. The concrete and asphalt areas may eventually receive the same cover.
Eventually, Foss said the city will be submitting a progress report on the project to DEC.
Karg Bros. tannery, encompassing a widespread area east of Crescendoe Road, East Canal Street and East Fulton Street, was shut down in the mid-1990s, and the buildings were razed about 2000. The city has been working with consultant Arcadis-US of Clifton Park.
DEC has indicated the state wants to complete the Karg site work and be able to issue a “No Further Action Record of Decision” report to the city by March.
Paving planned
Elsewhere in DPW report, Foss said the city will start paving with state Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding by the end of the week. He said signs will be posted where cars shouldn’t be parked near paving projects.
“We will need to tow vehicles that do not abide,” Foss said.
The state Department of Transportation awarded the city $234,989 in CHIPs funding for 2012-13.
Nine streets are due to be paved this year. They are: Walnut Avenue (entire); Mason Street (North Perry to North Market streets); Hoosac Street (entire); West Madison Avenue (South Melcher to Chestnut streets); Fon Clair Street (Persse Avenue to Route 30A); South Perry Street Extension (entire); Tryon Place/Stanton Terrace (entire); West Madison Avenue Extension (entire); and Genesee Street (entire).
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].
